Apple may be paving the way for iPhone background processes

Rumors suggest that Apple is already working out at way to let iPhone …

The limitation of one third-party app running at a time has been a major criticism of Apple's iPhone OS, though Apple has contended that the limitation is necessary for adequate battery life. However, the company may be devising a system to allow iPhone apps to run in the background, if recent rumors are true.

There are two possible methods Apple is supposedly exploring to enable background processes, according to Silicon Alley Insider. One method, supported by a rumor circulated at Macworld Expo earlier this year, would be a way for a user to choose one or two apps that would be blessed with background running status. Silicon Alley Insider's source indicates there is some evidence of this feature in the latest iPhone OS 3.0 beta.

The other method would involve developers applying for the ability to enable an app to run in the background. Apple would selectively approve apps for this ability based on resource usage such a RAM or network bandwidth. This would ensure that apps play nice with the rest of the system, though we know how well Apple's selective approval process goes over when it comes to "objectionable content."

Certain apps, such as music streaming apps or instant messaging clients, would definitely benefit from background execution—in fact, Apple's own iPod and Mail apps can run in the background. But Apple's reasons related to resource usage and battery life are still relevant, as the iPhone has just 128MB of RAM and the battery is just barely adequate for even casual users. And forcing the user to manage running processes goes wholly against the iPhone's simplicity—a large part of its mass appeal. Both of the rumored methods, especially the "pick an app or two" one, presents a useful compromise.

When Apple might begin implementing background processes is still up in the air, of course. iPhone OS 3.0 will finally implement the long-promised push notification system that was devised as a work-around for the limit against background processes as well. A true background process implementation, even a limited one, will likely rely on hardware improvements in future iPhone models, including faster processors, more RAM, and increased efficiency and battery life. Whether the expected third-generation iPhone hardware—most likely to be revealed during WWDC next month—will be ready for background processes is still anybody's guess.